What are some of the reasons the Cold War ended and do you think there is any way this long period of history could have been avoided?
The Cold War ended because the Communist system fell apart and couldn't satisfy the majority of the people behind the Iron Curtain.
Check these sites for more information.
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/what%20was%20the%20cold%20war.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_War#Final_years_.281985.E2.80.9391.29
The Cold War, which lasted from the late 1940s to the early 1990s, was primarily a geopolitical conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union. There were several key factors that contributed to the end of the Cold War:
1. Economic and political stagnation: The Soviet Union faced significant economic challenges, with a stagnant economy and an inefficient communist system. This led to internal discontent among the population and weakened the Soviet Union's global influence.
2. Arms race and military spending: Both the United States and the Soviet Union engaged in an intense arms race, pouring vast resources into building up nuclear arsenals. The financial burden of such military spending put immense strain on both economies.
3. Political changes: The arrival of Mikhail Gorbachev as the General Secretary of the Communist Party in the Soviet Union in 1985 marked a turning point. Gorbachev introduced a series of reforms known as "glasnost" (openness) and "perestroika" (restructuring), which aimed to address the Soviet Union's domestic issues and promote political openness.
4. Diplomatic efforts and negotiations: The willingness of leaders from both sides to engage in diplomacy and negotiations played a crucial role. Leaders like Ronald Reagan in the United States and Gorbachev were open to dialogue and successfully held several summits, such as the Reykjavik Summit and the Washington Summit, which helped establish a rapport between the two superpowers.
As to whether the Cold War could have been avoided, it is difficult to say definitively. The ideological differences and power struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union were deeply rooted. However, some argue that better communication, diplomacy, and compromise between the two sides could have potentially prevented the hostility and escalation of tensions. Additionally, a more equitable global order without the concentration of power in just two superpowers could have created a different dynamic, possibly reducing the chances of a Cold War. Nevertheless, the complexities of history make it challenging to definitively determine whether the Cold War could have been entirely avoided.